More than 40 vegetable growers and industry representatives came together to launch a strategy to address chemical resistance to Diamondback moth in Brassica crops.
Brassica’s include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and cabbages and are grown all year round in southern Queensland.
Diamondback moth is the most destructive insect pest of brassica crops throughout the world and a single chemical solution is not possible.
The efficacy of existing chemicals to address the pest has changed and the problem of resistance across the region, and worldwide, has become more noticeable over the last few years.
Lockyer Valley Growers Inc president Michael Sippel said a committee was formed which involved most major vegetable chemical companies, a number of farmers and re-sellers to work collaboratively to develop a plan.
“The resistance management plan for DBM uses the best available scientific information to help address this industry-wide challenge,” Mr Sippel said.
“The plan is a ‘work in progress’ and will be reviewed and updated regularly.”
The plan identifies appropriate times or “windows” for the application of specific chemicals. Each registered insecticide identified in the plan has a different level of impact depending on the lifecycle of the Diamondback moth.
The plan works on the principle of only using particular insecticides for a certain period of time, before switching to those of a different mode of action.
This process limits the exposure of the pest to specific products and therefore minimises the pest’s ability to build up resistance.
“Selective use of insecticides are just one component of a whole farm approach to managing Diamondback moth which includes crop monitoring, conservation of beneficial insects, careful spray application and good farm hygiene,” Mr Sippel said.
A copy of the Diamondback Moth Insecticide Resistance Management Strategy can be obtained here.